Originally posted by @philokaliaYou have dodged the question by simply making some assertions based on your religious beliefs.
They're making a mistake. I am not sure what that means for them.
God is real and should be sought through prayer and through honest openness to him. God will presenr and offer himself to people. He does not turn away.
So, they should properly pursue a relationship with God.
What is the point of attempted coercion with - or what is the deterrence effect of - threats that are not credible and not seen as real by the person being threatened? It doesn't make sense.
Originally posted by @philokaliaFreud once wrote that humans initially learn to manipulate as toddlers by withholding their poo. Despite their parents’ pleadings to “go potty,” the toddler delights in withholding his poo to upset his parents.
They're making a mistake. I am not sure what that means for them.
God is real and should be sought through prayer and through honest openness to him. God will presenr and offer himself to people. He does not turn away.
So, they should properly pursue a relationship with God.
I think that’s what goes on with some atheists. They’ve regressed to toddlerhood but instead of withholding their poo, they deny God exists as a means of manipulating believers.
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Originally posted by @wolfe63Do you mean for a guy who believes gospel preaching should be kept to a more minimum amount, you care?
Atheists?
Agnostics?
Muslims?
Jews?
Hindus?
Buddhists?
I didn't say "don't preach"...I said "preach less"...live by Christ's example more. That wins more converts my friend.
Don't look now, but more announcing of the Good News with living out Christ would seem to be appropriate.
Originally posted by @galveston75He’s probably referring to the Transfiguration.
Really? No one went to heaven before Jesus died and was eventually raised to heaven. Who went to heaven before Jesus?
“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.”
(Matthew 17:1-9)
Originally posted by @fmfIf you doubt the existence of God, you can pursue having a relationship with God, and He will reveal Himself to you, which solves the problem that you have brought up.
You have dodged the question by simply making some assertions based on your religious beliefs.
What is the point of attempted coercion with - or what is the deterrence effect of - threats that are not credible and not seen as real by the person being threatened? It doesn't make sense.
Originally posted by @bigdoggproblemPlot twist: Hell wasn't invented at all, but rather is a metaphysical necessity to create a sense of cosmic justice.
Hell was invented to scare weak minded people into religious conformity.
next!
Double plot twist: God doesn't send people to hell; people send themselves to hell.
Originally posted by @philokaliaYou are still dodging. What is the deterrence effect of a non-credible threat?
If you doubt the existence of God, you can pursue having a relationship with God, and He will reveal Himself to you, which solves the problem that you have brought up.
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Originally posted by @romans1009I may be doing a bit of that except instead of denying God exists I only assert that when I introspect on the subject I find that I lack belief that God or any such supernatural creative being exists. This is due to the fact that when it comes to God, the usual ways of verifying hunches seem to be unavailable to me. I have come to this limited kind of awareness over time, and it might change.
Freud once wrote that humans initially learn to manipulate as toddlers by withholding their poo. Despite their parents’ pleadings to “go potty,” the toddler delights in withholding his poo to upset his parents.
I think that’s what goes on with some atheists. They’ve regressed to toddlerhood but instead of withholding their poo, they deny God exists as a means of manipulating believers.
By the way, I have been around babies including my own (w/diaper changing) and never experienced the withholding of poo, either to manipulate me or not. Edit: I wonder how Freud came by his knowledge.
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Originally posted by @bigdoggproblemHey, how come it didn't work on such "weak minded" individuals as Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Pol Pot ?
Hell was invented to scare weak minded people into religious conformity.
next!
Were they too strong in the mind?
If so then make the prospect of "hell" even stronger.
Originally posted by @philokaliaOne punishment for all, regardless of the frequency and severity of the crimes? That's not justice, it's Bizzaro justice.
Plot twist: Hell wasn't invented at all, but rather is a metaphysical necessity to create a sense of cosmic justice.
Double plot twist: God doesn't send people to hell; people send themselves to hell.
As for who is responsible for sending people to hell, read Matt 10:28.
Originally posted by @bigdoggproblemIt makes perfect sense. Try reading it before sniffing glue.
Care to re phrase this? It doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Originally posted by @romans1009So explain the last sentence then.
It makes perfect sense. Try reading it before sniffing glue.